Protector assembly for flexible pipe coils and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A system includes a coil contacting base. The coil contacting base includes a radially curved outer surface with a radius of curvature less than or equal to a coil radius of curvature of an interior channel of a coil of spoolable pipe, and the coil contacting base includes a length greater than or equal to an axial dimension of the coil. The system also includes a side wall coupled to an inner surface of the coil contacting base. The side wall is configured to block circumferential movement of a coil restraint. The system also includes a passage disposed between the coil contacting base and the side wall. The coil restraint is configured to be disposed in the passage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 16/582,326 filed on Sep. 24, 2019, which is a continuation ofU.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/880,749 filed on Jan. 25,2018, which is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser.No. 15/869,586 filed on Jan. 11, 2018, and priority benefit of U.S.Provisional Application 62/447,396 filed Jan. 16, 2017, the disclosuresof which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Flexible pipe is useful in a myriad of environments, including in theoil and gas industry. Flexible pipe may be durable and operational inharsh operating conditions and can accommodate high pressures andtemperatures. Flexible pipe may be bundled and arranged into one or morecoils to facilitate transporting and using the pipe.

Coils of pipe may be positioned in an “eye to the side” or “eye to thesky” orientation. When the flexible pipe is coiled and is disposed withits interior channel facing upwards, such that the coil is in ahorizontal orientation, then the coils of pipe are referred to as beingin an “eye to the sky” orientation. If, instead, the flexible pipe iscoiled and disposed such that the interior channel is not facingupwards, such that the coil is in an upright or vertical orientation,then the coils of pipe are referred to as being in an “eye to the side”orientation.

The flexible pipe may be transported as coils to various sites fordeployment (also referred to as uncoiling or unspooling). Differenttypes of devices and vehicles are currently used for loading andtransporting coils of pipe, but usually extra equipment and human manuallabor is also involved in the process of loading or unloading such coilsfor transportation and/or deployment. Such coils of pipe are often quitelarge and heavy. Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved methodand apparatus for loading and unloading coils of pipe.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a systemthat includes a coil contacting base. The coil contacting base includesa radially curved outer surface with a radius of curvature less than orequal to a coil radius of curvature of an interior channel of a coil ofspoolable pipe, and the coil contacting base has a length greater thanor equal to an axial dimension of the coil. The system also includes aside wall coupled to an inner surface of the coil contacting base. Theside wall is configured to block circumferential movement of a coilrestraint. The system also includes a passage disposed between the coilcontacting base and the side wall. The coil restraint is configured tobe disposed in the passage.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to amethod that includes inserting a coil protector into an interior channelof a coil of spoolable pipe. The coil protector includes a coilcontacting base. The coil contacting base includes a radially curvedouter surface with a radius of curvature less than or equal to a coilradius of curvature of the interior channel and the coil contacting basehas a length greater than or equal to an axial dimension of the coil.The coil protector also includes a side wall coupled to an inner surfaceof the coil contacting base and a passage disposed between the coilcontacting base and the side wall. The method also includes inserting acoil restraint in the passage, blocking circumferential movement of thecoil restraint via the side wall, and securing the coil restraint to acoil transportation carrier or a pipe coil skid coupled to the coiltransportation carrier, thereby securing the coil to the coiltransportation carrier.

Other aspects and advantages of the claimed subject matter will beapparent from the following description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a coil protector according to embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coil of spoolablepipe according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coil protectoraccording to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coil protectoraccording to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coil protectoraccording to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coil protector thatincludes beams according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coil protector thatincludes a second coil contacting base according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coil protector thatincludes holes formed in a coil contacting base according to embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coil protector thatincludes rings coupled to ends of a coil contacting base according toembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coil protector thatincludes rods coupled to an inner surface of a coil contacting baseaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a coil protector thatincludes coil side protectors coupled to ends of a coil contacting baseaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to coilprotectors used when transporting coils of spoolable pipe. The coils ofpipe may be self-supported, for example, using bands to hold coilstogether. Coil protectors according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure may include a coil contacting base, a side wall coupled tothe coil contacting base, and a passage disposed between the coilcontacting base and the side wall.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below withreference to the figures. In one aspect, embodiments disclosed hereinrelate to embodiments for protecting coils of spoolable pipe duringtransportation.

As used herein, the term “coupled” or “coupled to” may indicateestablishing either a direct or indirect connection, and is not limitedto either unless expressly referenced as such. The term “set” may referto one or more items. Wherever possible, like or identical referencenumerals are used in the figures to identify common or the sameelements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain featuresand certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale forpurposes of clarification.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment of a coil protector10 used to protect a coil 12 of spoolable pipe 14 while coupled to acoil transportation carrier 16 via a coil restraint 18. Spoolable pipe14 may refer to any type of flexible pipe or piping capable of beingbent into a coil. Such coils of spoolable pipe 14 may reduce the amountof space taken up by pipe during manufacturing, shipping,transportation, and deployment compared to rigid pipe that is notcapable of being bent into a coil.

Pipe, as understood by those of ordinary skill, may be a tube to conveyor transfer any water, gas, oil, or any type of fluid known to thoseskilled in the art. The spoolable pipe 14 may be made of any type ofmaterials including without limitation plastics, metals, a combinationthereof, composites (e.g., fiber reinforced composites), or othermaterials known in the art. The flexible pipe of the spoolable pipe 14is used frequently in many applications, including without limitation,both onshore and offshore oil and gas applications. Flexible pipe mayinclude Flexible Composite Pipe (FCP) or Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipe(RTP). A FCP or RTP pipe may itself be generally composed of severallayers. In one or more embodiments, a flexible pipe may include ahigh-density polyethylene (“HDPE”) pipe having a reinforcement layer andan HDPE outer cover layer. Thus, flexible pipe may include differentlayers that may be made of a variety of materials and also may betreated for corrosion resistance. For example, in one or moreembodiments, pipe used to make up a coil of pipe may have a corrosionprotection shield layer that is disposed over another layer of steelreinforcement. In this steel-reinforced layer, helically wound steelstrips may be placed over a liner made of thermoplastic pipe. Flexiblepipe may be designed to handle a variety of pressures. Further, flexiblepipe may offer unique features and benefits versus steel/carbon steelpipe lines in the area of corrosion resistance, flexibility,installation speed and re-usability.

The coil transportation carrier 16 may refer to any type oftransportation carrier capable of being used to transport coils 12overland or over water. For example, the embodiment of the coiltransportation carrier 16 portrayed in FIG. 1 is a railcar, which mayrefer to any type of rolling stock transported over rails, such as, butnot limited to, railroad cars, goods wagons, freight cars, flat wagons,flat cars, and so forth. In other embodiments, the coil transportationcarrier 16 may be any type of transportation carrier transported bytrucks or other road vehicles, such as various trailers, semi-trailers,flatbed trailers, lowboy trailers, and so forth. In further embodiments,the coil transportation carrier 16 may be any type of transportationcarrier transported over water, such as various vessels, ships, barges,boats, watercrafts, or any other type of water-borne vehicles capable ofbeing used for offshore deployment of spoolable pipe 14 into a body ofwater, such as a lake, sea, or ocean. Thus, use of the coil protector 10is not limited to railcars. In certain embodiments, the coiltransportation carrier 16 may include two or more pairs of wheels 20. Incertain embodiments, a pipe coil skid 22 may be used to hold the coil 12of spoolable pipe 14 in a vertical orientation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the coil 12 ofspoolable pipe 14. The coil 12 may be defined by an axial axis ordirection 40, a radial axis or direction 42, and a circumferential axisor direction 44. The coil 12 may be formed by wrapping the spoolablepipe 14 into a coil with an interior channel 46 formed axially 40therethrough, where the coil 12 may be moved as a single package orbundle of coiled pipe, as shown in FIG. 2. Each complete turn of coiledpipe may be referred to as a wrap of pipe. Multiple wraps of pipe in thecoil 12 may be configured in columns along the axial direction 40 of thecoil 12 and/or configured in layers along the radial direction 42 of thecoil 12. For example, multiple columns of wraps may be formed along theaxial direction 40 of the coil 12, where an axial dimension 48 of thecoil 12 is based on the diameter of the pipe 14 and the number and axial40 position of wraps forming the coil 12. Further, multiple layers ofwraps may be formed along the radial direction 42 of the coil 12, wherea radial dimension 50 of the coil 12 is based on the diameter of thepipe and the number and radial 42 position of the wraps forming the coil12. In certain embodiments, a weight of the coil 12 may exceed 40,000pounds (18,144 kilograms).

As shown in FIG. 2, the coil 12 of spoolable pipe 14 may be one or morelayers (e.g., layers 52 and 54) of pipe packaged or bundled into thecoil 12. The coil 12 may include at least one or more layers of pipethat have been coiled into a particular shape or arrangement. As shownin FIG. 2, the coil 12 is coiled into a substantially cylindrical shapehaving substantially circular bases 56 and 58 formed on each end of thecoil 12, where the axial dimension 48 of the coil 12 is measured betweenthe two bases 56 and 58.

As known to those of ordinary skill in the art, the spoolable pipe 14used to make up the coil 12 shown in FIG. 2 may be coiled using spoolersor other coiler machines suited for such a function. Those of ordinaryskill will recognize that the present disclosure is not limited to anyparticular form of coiler or other device that may be used to form pipeinto a coil. Coiling pipe into a coil of pipe, such as coil 12, assistswhen transporting pipe, which may be several hundred feet in length inone or more embodiments. Further, the coil 12 may be assembled as a coilto facilitate deployment of the coil. Deployment, as used herein, mayrefer to the action of unspooling or unwinding the spoolable pipe 14from the coil 12.

After being assembled into a coil, the coil 12 shown in FIG. 2 mayinclude the interior channel 46 formed axially 40 through the coil 12.The interior channel 46 is a bore disposed generally in the center ofthe coil 12. The interior channel 46 is substantially circular-shaped.The coil 12 may have an outer diameter (OD) and an inner diameter (ID),where the inner diameter is defined by the interior channel 46. Inaddition, the interior channel 46 may be defined by a coil radius ofcurvature 60.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pipe coil skid 22 may include a platform 62 uponwhich the coil 12 may be disposed to hold the coil 12 in a verticalorientation. The platform 62 can have a concave curvature shape on itsupward facing side (when pipe coil skid 22 sits on a horizontal surface)that generally corresponds to the outer circumferential 44 shape of thecoil 12, such that when the coil 12 sits within the pipe coil skid 22,it is generally flush with the platform 62. However, the abovedescription should not be deemed limiting with respect to the shape,construction or application of the pipe coil skid 22, as pipe coil skid22 may have any shape, construction and/or application that is withinthe scope of the description and figures herein. In one or moreembodiments, the coil 12 may be loaded and unloaded by a pipe deploymenttrailer, crane, forklift or other lifting device while remainingattached to the pipe coil skid 22.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the coilprotector 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the coil 12 may be secured by straps70 or bands, and the coil 12 may be disposed on the pipe coil skid 22.In addition, a first coil protector 10 and a second coil protector 10may be used to secure the coil 12 to the coil transportation carrier 16(e.g., railcar) via one or more coil restraints 18 coupled to the coiltransportation carrier 16. In certain embodiments, the coil restraints18 may be coupled to the pipe coil skid 22 and other techniques used tosecure the pipe coil skid 22 to the coil transportation carrier 16. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the coil restraints 18 are chains, butvarious types of restraints may be used in other embodiments, such asbelts, cables, ropes, or similar products. Two lengths of coilrestraints 18 are used with each coil protector 10 in FIG. 3, butdifferent numbers of coil restraints 18 may be used depending on thesize, dimensions, weight, and orientation of the coil 12 and theparticular securement requirements associated with the coiltransportation carrier 16. Further, the first and second coil protectors10 are spaced circumferentially 44 apart from one another with the firstcoil protector 10 disposed near a first side 72 of the pipe coil skid 22and the second coil protector 10 disposed near a second side 74 of thepipe coil skid 22. In other embodiments, different numbers of coilrestraints 18 may be used depending on the size, dimensions, weight, andorientation of the coil 12 and the particular securement requirementsassociated with the coil transportation carrier 16. For example, eachcoil 12 may be secured using one, three, four or more coil protectors 10and coil restraints 18. Embodiments of the coil protector 10 do notextend completely circumferentially 44 about the interior channel 46(e.g., the coil protectors 10 are not complete circles). In addition,the coil protector 10 extends a distance 76 beyond the circular base 56,thereby helping to prevent the coil restraints 18 from contacting thecircular base 56. In other words, the coil protector 10 is longer thanthe axial dimension 48 of the coil 12 so that the coil protector 10extends the distance 76 beyond both circular bases 56 and 58. In otherembodiments, the coil protector 10 may not extend beyond the circularbases 56 and 58, such as when there is no concern with the coilrestraints 18 contacting the spoolable pipe 14 (e.g., abrasion) or whenbeam strength along the axial direction 40 is desired. Further detailsof the coil protector 10 are described in detail below.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the coilprotector 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the coil protector 10includes a coil contacting base 90 that has an outer surface 92 with aradius of curvature 94 that is approximately less than or equal to thecoil radius of curvature 60 of the interior channel 46 of the coil 12,which may help prevent edges 96 of the coil contacting base 90 frompushing into the outer surface of the spoolable pipe 14 when the coilrestraints 18 are tightened. In other words, substantially all or mostof the outer surface 92 may contact the interior channel 46, therebydistributing the force exerted by the coil restraints 18 over a largeportion of the interior channel 46 proximate the coil protector 10.Further, the curved outer surface 92 provides a smooth surface for thespoolable pipe 14 to contact, thereby reducing the potential for anydamage to the outer surface of the spoolable pipe 14. In certainembodiments, a coating or other layer may be applied or coupled to theouter surface 92 to help prevent the coil protector 10 from sliding ormoving along the surface of the spoolable pipe 14. Examples of suchcoatings include, but not limited to, foam, rubber, plastic, or othermaterials. In addition, such materials may possess some degree ofcompliance (i.e., inverse of stiffness) or resilience that helps preventthe coil protector 10 from damaging the outer surface of the spoolablepipe 14. In certain embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the outersurface 92 may not be continuous or smooth, but may include shortstraight sections separated by bends commonly associated with thefabrication technique referred to as bump-forming. Thus, thecross-sectional shape of the outer surface 92 may form part of apolygon. In such embodiments, the radius of curvature 94 refers to theradius of the circumscribed circle or circumcircle of the polygon (e.g.,circumradius). In addition, the outer surface 92 of such embodiments maystill be referred to as radially curved.

As shown in FIG. 4, the coil contacting base 90 may have a length 98that is approximately greater than or equal to the axial dimension 48 ofthe coil 12. As discussed above, the length 98 is selected so that endsof the coil protector 10 extend the distance 76 beyond both circularbases 56 and 58 when inserted into the coil 12. Further, the coilcontacting base 90 may be defined by a thickness 100, which may beselected to provide sufficient strength and stability for the coilprotector 10 when in use. In other words, a coil protector 10 with alarger thickness 100 may be stronger and more resistant to bending thananother coil protector 10 with a smaller thickness 100. However, thecoil protector 10 with the larger thickness 100 may be heavier. Incertain embodiments, the coil contacting base 90 may be made fromvarious metals, such as steel, aluminum, titanium, or alloys thereof.The material selected for the coil protector 10 may be based on thestrength and weight requirements of a particular application. Althoughshown as a solid sheet of material in FIG. 4, the coil contacting base90 may include openings or cutouts to reduce the weight of the coilprotector 10. For example, the coil contacting base 90 may be made fromexpanded metal sheet or similar material.

In the illustrated embodiment, the coil protector 10 also includes twoside walls 102 coupled to an inner surface 104 of the coil contactingbase 90. In other embodiments, the coil protector 10 may include one,three, four or more side walls 102. The side wall 102 may blockcircumferential 44 movement of the coil restraint 18. In other words,without the side wall 102, the coil restraint 18 may potentially slideor slip off the inner surface 104 when tightened. Thus, the side wall102 may provide a surface for the coil restraint 18 to rest against whentightened. In certain embodiments, the side wall 102 may be coupled tothe coil contacting base 90 via a variety of techniques, such as, butnot limited to, welding, brazing, gluing, bonding, bolting, screwing,and so forth. In other embodiments, the side wall 102 may be formed bybending a portion of the coil contacting base 90. Such embodiments mayalso be referred to as having the side wall 102 coupled to the coilcontacting base 90. The side wall 102 may be defined by a side wallheight 106 and the side walls 102 may be spaced a distance 108 apartfrom one another. When the side walls 102 are disposed at the edges 96,the distance 108 may also correspond to the width of the coil contactingbase 90. Further, although the side walls 102 are shown at the edges 96of the coil contacting base 90 in FIG. 4, in other embodiments, the sidewalls 102 may be located at other locations of the inner surface 104.Other characteristics of the side walls 102 may be varied in similarways as the coil contacting base 90. In other words, the thickness 100,composition, and configuration of the side walls 102 may be selected tosuit a particular application.

In the illustrated embodiment, the coil protector 10 also includes apassage 110 disposed between the coil contacting base 90 and the sidewalls 102. In other words, the passage 110 is formed in the spacebetween the coil contacting base 90 and the side walls 102. As shownpreviously in FIG. 3, the coil restraint 18 is configured to be disposedin the passage 110 when the coil 12 is secured to the coiltransportation carrier 16.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the coilprotector 10 that includes additional features. For example, the coilprotector 10 shown in FIG. 5 includes one or more handles 120 coupled tothe inner surface 104. The handles 120 may be used by a person to liftor handle the coil protector 10, such as when inserting the coilprotector 10 into the interior channel 46 of the coil 12. The handles120 may be disposed near the ends of the coil protector 10 and/or alongthe length of the coil protector 10. In certain embodiments, the handles120 may be made from round or flat steel bar stock or strips, andcoupled to the inner surface 104 via a variety of techniques, such as,but not limited to, welding, brazing, gluing, bonding, bolting,screwing, and so forth. In addition, the handles 120 may also serve asimilar function as the side walls 102 by blocking circumferential 44movement of the coil restraint 18. In other words, the handles 120 mayform channels or passages through which the coil restraint 18 may bedisposed. In further embodiments, the handles 120 may be disposed atother locations, such as coupled to inner or outer surfaces of the sidewalls 102, or along the edges or tops of the side walls 102.

In the illustrated embodiment, the coil protector 10 also includes oneor more holes 122 to enable a wire (not shown) to be inserted throughthe holes 122 and the coil restraint 18 to block movement of the coilrestraint 18. In other words, the wire may be threaded through the holes122 and the coil restraint 18, and the wire tightened or secured to helpprevent movement or loosening of the coil restraint 18 during transportof the coil 12. The holes 122 may be disposed a hole distance 124 awayfrom ends of the coil protector 10. Although the holes 122 are shownwith circular shapes in FIG. 5, in other embodiments, the holes 122 mayhave other shapes, such as, but not limited to, ovals, squares,rectangles, triangles, polygons, or other regular or irregular shapes.In certain embodiments, the handles 120 may be used to secure the wire.In other respects, the coil protector 10 shown in FIG. 5 is similar tothat shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the coilprotector 10 that includes one or more beams 140 coupled to the innersurface 104 to increase a stiffness or strength of the coil contactingbase 90. In other words, the beams 140 may be used to help the coilprotector 10 to resist deflection or deformation, especially in theradial direction 44 when placed under a load by the coil restraint 18.The beams 140 may appear and function similar to the side walls 102.However, the beams 140 may be made from a different material than thecoil contacting base 90 or side walls 102. For example, the materialused for the beams 140 may have a greater stiffness or strength thanthat used for the coil contacting base 90 or side walls 102. Thus, thebeams 140 may be used to increase the overall stiffness or strength ofthe coil protector 10 without manufacturing the entire coil protector 10from the material used for the beams 140, which may be more expensivethan that used for the rest of the coil protector 10. In the illustratedembodiment, the coil protector 10 includes two beams 140, but in otherembodiments, the coil protector 10 may include one, three, four or morebeams 140. In addition, the beams 140 may have lengths, heights,thicknesses, and shapes different from the side walls 102, depending onthe requirements of a particular application. For example, shorter beams140 may be disposed only at ends of the coil protector 10 or a shorterbeam 140 disposed near the center (e.g., centroid or center of mass) ofthe coil protector 10, which may reduce the weight of the beams 140compared to those that extend along the length 98 of the coil contactingbase 90. In certain embodiments, the beam 140 may be formed as a T-beamcoupled to the coil contacting base 90. In further embodiments, othertypes of beams or reinforcements (e.g., I-beams, angles (L), channels(C), or tubes) may be used for the beams 140.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the coilprotector 10 that includes a second coil contacting base 90 coupled tothe two side walls 102. Thus, the passage 110 is disposed between thecoil contacting bases 90 and the side walls 102. The second coilcontacting base 90 may be essentially identical to the other coilcontacting base 90. The coil protector 10 shown in FIG. 7 may possesscertain advantages compared to other embodiments of the coil protector10. For example, embodiments of the coil protector 10 with one coilcontacting base 90 may be susceptible to permanent deformation caused bythe load exerted by the coil restraint 18 since the load is alwaysexerted in the same direction. However, the embodiment of the coilprotector 10 shown in FIG. 7 may better resist such permanentdeformation because the coil protector 10 can be used with either coilcontacting base 90 placed against the interior channel 46. Theorientation of the coil protector 10 could be alternated between uses ortracked to provide substantially equal usage of the two coil contactingbases 90. Since the coil contacting bases 90 experience loads in bothdirections, the coil contacting bases 90 may resist permanentdeformation or be used longer before permanently deforming. Further, thedesign and construction of the embodiment of the coil protector 10 shownin FIG. 7 may have a greater overall stiffness or strength and therebyresist permanent deformation whether used with alternating or equalorientations or not. Further, the second coil contacting base 90 mayhelp block radial 42 or circumferential 44 movement of the coilrestraint 18. In addition, the embodiment of the coil protector 10 shownin FIG. 7 may include other previously described features, such as thebeams 140, which could be coupled to both coil contacting bases 90 toincrease the stiffness and strength of the coil protector 10. In oneembodiment, the second coil contacting base 90 may have a flatcross-sectional shape, thereby giving the coil protector 10 a D-shape.Such embodiments of the coil protector 10 may be used when a commonloading direction (e.g., with the curved first coil contacting base 90against the spoolable pipe 14) is used, but the other benefits of thesecond coil contacting base 90 are still desired. This embodiment mayalso include one or more beams 140.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the coilprotector 10 that includes one or more holes 150 formed in the coilcontacting base 90. For example, the holes 150 may be disposed at bothends of the coil protector 10 and the coil restraint 18 may be insertedthrough the holes 150 instead of disposing the coil restraint 18 alongthe entire length 98 of the coil protector 10. Thus, shorter lengths ofcoil restraint 18 may be used with the illustrated embodiment of thecoil protector 10. Alternatively, the coil restraint 18 may be disposedalong the length 98 and passed through the holes 150 instead of alongthe edges of the ends of the coil protector 10. In such embodiments, thelength 98 of the coil protector 10 may be selected so that a distance152 between the holes 150 is approximately greater than or equal to theaxial dimension 48 of the coil 12. In other words, the length 98 anddistance 152 are selected so that the holes 150 extend the distance 76beyond both circular bases 56 and 58. The size of the holes 150 may beselected to enable the coil restraint 18 to be easily inserted throughthe holes 150. In addition, although the holes 150 are shown withcircular shapes in FIG. 8, in other embodiments, the holes 150 may haveother shapes, such as, but not limited to, ovals, squares, rectangles,triangles, polygons, or other regular or irregular shapes. In certainembodiments, the holes 150 may take the form of notches at the ends ofthe coil protector 10. In other respects, the coil protector 10 shown inFIG. 8 is similar to those previously described and may include otherpreviously described features.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the coilprotector 10 that includes one or more rings 160 coupled to the ends ofthe coil contacting base 90. The rings 160 may function in a similarmanner to the holes 150. For example, the rings 160 may be disposed atboth ends of the coil protector 10 and the coil restraint 18 may beinserted through the rings 160 instead of disposing the coil restraint18 along the entire length 98 of the coil protector 10. Alternatively,the coil restraint 18 may be disposed along the length 98 and passedthrough the rings 160 instead of along the edges of the ends of the coilprotector 10. The length 98 of the coil protector 10 may be selected tobe approximately greater than or equal to the axial dimension 48 of thecoil 12. In other words, the length 98 is selected so that the rings 160extend the distance 76 beyond both circular bases 56 and 58. The size ofthe rings 160 may be selected to enable the coil restraint 18 to beeasily inserted through the rings 160. In addition, although the rings160 are shown with partially circular shapes in FIG. 9, in otherembodiments, the rings 160 may have other shapes, such as, but notlimited to, ovals, squares, rectangles, triangles, polygons, or otherregular or irregular shapes. In other respects, the coil protector 10shown in FIG. 9 is similar to those previously described and may includeother previously described features.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the coilprotector 10 that includes one or more rods 170 coupled to the innersurface 104 of the coil contacting base 90. In certain embodiments, therods 170 may be made from round or flat steel bar stock or strips, andcoupled to the inner surface 104 via a variety of techniques, such as,but not limited to, welding, brazing, gluing, bonding, bolting,screwing, and so forth. In certain embodiments, the rods 170 may takethe form of hooks or any other commonly available rigging component. Thecoil restraint 18 may be looped around or secured to the rods 170instead of disposing the coil restraint 18 along the entire length 98 ofthe coil protector 10. Alternatively, the coil restraint 18 may bedisposed along the length 98 and looped around or secured to the rods170 to help prevent movement of the coil restraint 18. In furtherembodiments, the coil restraint 18 may be permanently coupled to thecoil protector 10. In other respects, the coil protector 10 shown inFIG. 10 is similar to those previously described and may include otherpreviously described features.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the coilprotector 10 that includes coil side protectors 180 coupled to ends ofthe coil contacting base 90. In the illustrated embodiment, the coilside protectors 180 help block contact of the coil restraint 18 with thecircular bases 56 and 58 of the coil 12. In certain embodiments, thecoil side protectors 180 may be coupled to the coil contacting base 90via a variety of techniques, such as, but not limited to, welding,brazing, gluing, bonding, bolting, screwing, and so forth. In otherembodiments, the coil side protectors 180 may be formed by bendingportions of the coil contacting base 90, which may also be referred toas being coupled to the coil contacting base 90. In such embodiments,the length 98 may be approximately equal to the axial dimension 48 ofthe coil 12 because the coil side protectors 180 help block contact ofthe coil restraint 18 with the circular bases 56 and 58 of the coil 12.Thus, the ends of the coil protector 10 may not extend the distance 76beyond the circular bases 56 and 58. The dimensions, shapes, andmaterials of the coil side protectors 180 may be selected to suit therequirements of a particular application. In certain embodiments, thecoil side protectors 180 may include features similar to those shown inFIGS. 8-10, such as holes 150, rings 160, or rods 170. In otherrespects, the coil protector 10 shown in FIG. 11 is similar to thosepreviously described and may include other previously describedfeatures.

While the present disclosure has been described with respect to alimited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefitof this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may bedevised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure asdescribed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should belimited only by the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing a coil protector,comprising: forming a coil contacting base that has: a length that isgreater than or equal to an axial dimension of a coil of spoolable pipeto be secured using the coil protector; and a radially curved outersurface with a radius of curvature that is less than or equal to a coilradius of curvature of an interior channel of the coil of spoolablepipe; implementing a first side wall such that the first side wall iscoupled to a first edge of an inner surface of the coil contacting base;and implementing a second side wall such that the second side wall iscoupled to a second edge of the inner surface of the coil contactingbase opposite the first side wall to define a passage along the innersurface of the coil contacting base that enables a coil restraint to bedisposed in the coil protector such that the coil restraint directlyabuts the inner surface of the coil contacting base to facilitatesecuring the coil of spoolable pipe.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein:forming the coil contacting base comprises forming the coil contactingbase out of metal; implementing the first side wall comprises formingthe first side wall out of metal; and implementing the second side wallcomprises forming the second side wall out of metal.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein: implementing the first side wall comprises welding,brazing, bonding, bolting, or screwing the first side wall to the coilcontacting base; and implementing the second side wall compriseswelding, brazing, bonding, bolting, or screwing the second side wall tothe coil contacting base.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein:implementing the first side wall comprises bending first materialintegrated with a first side of the coil contacting base; andimplementing the second side wall comprises bending second materialintegrated with a second side of the coil contacting base opposite thefirst side.
 5. The method of claim 1, comprising forming a first holethrough the first side wall and forming a second hole through the secondside wall to enable a wire to be inserted through the first hole, thecoil restraint, and the second hole to block movement of the coilrestraint.
 6. The method of claim 1, comprising securing a handle to theinner surface of the coil contacting base to facilitate lifting orhandling the coil protector.
 7. The method of claim 1, comprisingsecuring a beam along the inner surface of the coil contacting base tofacilitate increasing stiffness of the coil protector.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein: the coil contacting base, the first side wall, and thesecond side wall are made from a first type of material; and the beam ismade from a second type of material different from the first type ofmaterial.
 9. The method of claim 1, comprising implementing another coilcontacting base such that the other coil contacting base is coupled tothe first side wall and the second side wall to define the passagebetween the coil contacting base, the first side wall, the second sidewall, and the other coil contacting base.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein implementing the other coil contacting base comprises formingthe other coil contacting base such that the other coil contacting basehas: another length that is greater than or equal to the axial dimensionof the coil of spoolable pipe to be secured using the coil protector;and another radially curved outer surface with another radius ofcurvature that is less than or equal to the coil radius of curvature ofthe interior channel of the coil of spoolable pipe.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, comprising forming a hole through the coil contacting base toenable the coil restraint to be inserted into the passage via the hole.12. The method of claim 1, comprising securing a ring to an end of thecoil contacting base to enable the coil restraint to be inserted intothe passage via an opening in the ring.
 13. The method of claim 1,comprising securing a rod to the inner surface of the coil contactingbase to enable the coil restraint to be looped around the rod tofacilitate blocking movement of the coil restraint relative to the coilprotector.
 14. The method of claim 1, comprising securing a sideprotector to an end of the coil contacting base to facilitate blockingthe coil restraint from contacting a circular base of the coil ofspoolable pipe.
 15. The method of claim 14, comprising securing anotherside protector to an opposite end of the coil contacting base tofacilitate blocking the coil restraint from contacting an oppositecircular base of the coil of spoolable pipe.
 16. A coil protector,comprising a coil contacting base, wherein: the coil contacting basecomprises a radially curved outer surface with a radius of curvaturethat is less than or equal to a coil radius of curvature of an interiorchannel of a coil of spoolable pipe to be secured using the coilprotector; and a length of the coil contacting base is greater than orequal to an axial dimension of the coil of spoolable pipe; a first sidewall coupled to a first edge of an inner surface of the coil contactingbase; and a second side wall coupled to a second edge of the innersurface of the coil contacting base opposite the first side wall todefine a passage along the inner surface of the coil contacting base,wherein the passage is configured to enable a coil restraint to bedisposed in the coil protector to facilitate securing the radiallycurved outer surface of the coil contacting base directly against thecoil of spoolable pipe.
 17. The coil protector of claim 16, wherein theradially curved outer surface of the coil contacting base is configuredto be secured directly against the coil of spoolable pipe when the coilrestraint is secured such that the coil restraint directly abuts theinner surface of the coil contacting base.
 18. The coil protector ofclaim 16, comprising: a first side protector coupled to a first end ofthe coil contacting base, wherein the first side protector is configuredto block the coil restraint from contacting a first circular base of thecoil of spoolable pipe; and a second side protector coupled to a secondend of the coil contacting base, wherein the second side protector isconfigured to block the coil restraint from contacting a second circularbase of the coil of spoolable pipe.
 19. A method of securing a coil ofspoolable pipe on a transportation carrier, comprising: inserting a coilprotector into an interior channel of the coil of spoolable pipe,wherein the coil protector comprises a coil contacting base that has aradially curved outer surface with a radius of curvature that is lessthan or equal to a coil radius of curvature of the interior channel ofthe coil of spoolable pipe; disposing a coil restraint within a passageof the coil protector that is defined between the coil contacting base,a first side wall coupled to a first edge of an inner surface of thecoil contacting base, and a second side wall coupled to a second edge ofthe inner surface of the coil contacting base; and securing the coilrestraint to the transportation carrier such that the coil restraintdirectly abuts the inner surface of the coil contacting base tofacilitate securing the radially curved outer surface of the coilcontacting base directly against the coil of spoolable pipe.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, comprising: disposing a pipe coil skid on thetransportation carrier; and disposing the coil of spoolable pipe on thepipe coil skid in an upright orientation.